“Malaysians are not outsiders. The federal government is not an outsider. We are responsible for all things in the country,” said the Prime Minister on Monday (Dec 10).

Tunku Ismail, in response to a statement by Water, Land and Natural Resources Minister Dr Xavier Jayakumar on the status of Pulau Kukup, had said that “outsiders should not meddle on matters related to Johor”.

Tunku Ismail said that only the Johor Ruler had the jurisdiction to override the state constitution.

Dr Xavier had said that the Cabinet wanted Pulau Kukup to remain as a national park.

He said the move to change the island’s status to Sultanate land might affect Malaysia’s reputation internationally in preserving biodiversity.

According to Tunku Ismail, the matter had already been settled after the Sultan of Johor had consented for Pulau Kukup to be maintained as a national park.

“Just three to four days ago, I posted a letter from the Johor state government that was also signed by His Majesty (Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar) that stated that it (Pulau Kukup) will fall under the Sultanate land but it remains a national park.

“Its usage and protection does not change. What is so hard to understand?” he tweeted on Sunday (Dec 9). – The Star